Read what JSW Graduates are saying about how the JSW program helped them succeed.

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

Accountant
Positive Attitude in Networking
and Customized resume are the key!!

I’m an accountant by profession. Back home in Philippines my work involves analytical work on a day-to-day basis. But I realize that being a newcomer, I cannot right away be hired to do the same nature of work here in Canada.

I don’t feel bad starting from a low paying position. I’ve learned from my job search experience that being a newcomer, it is unlikely for us to find a job that exactly matches our education and work background.

I’m happy to find my first job through networking. One of Job Search Workshop success story, also an accountant, helped me connect with the company I’m now working for. In my present job though, as a data entry clerk, I am doing a relatively elemental job, which is more of procedural than analytical type of work I have to admit that in a way it’s depressing to start from square one, knowing I can do more. I have no choice but to swallow my pride, while at the same time being very persistent in looking for work which is closer to the ideal. I just think that I won’t be doing this forever, as I am doing all I can to eventually land a job I’ll really feel good about.

Customizing the resume is the key. I’ve learned from Job Search Workshop that it is a must to revise and customize the resume for every position I’m interested in. It is exactly the strategy for one to be called to an interview, even if one is applying for different positions in one company at a given time. The idea is to meticulously focus on the qualifications and requirements the prospective employer wants to see in the resume.

To all newcomers like me who are looking for job, embrace the challenges of job searching with an open mind, tons of patience, persistence and positive attitude.

Office Assistant & Accountant
Our family arrived in Toronto from Philippines, last October of 2003. After four months of fruitless job-hunting, we decided to attend a Job Search Workshop last January 2004. There we discovered we were doing it all wrong.

The Job Search Workshop gave us all the tools and tips vital to job search. Soon thereafter we completed the workshop, I got a part-time job as proof operator in Toronto, while my wife got in as a temp-receptionist for an optometrist. Over a year’s time, I finally got my full-time job as accounting staff for a landscaping firm. Then my wife also got an office assistant position at Pizza Pizza’s franchising department in Toronto.

JSW indeed put us right back on track by giving us the push in starting our life here in our new home country.

Our advice for new immigrants and job seekers is to network with as much number of people. Tell everyone you’re looking for work. Attend workshops like Job Search Workshop, do volunteer work; walk-in, collect and fill-up application forms, call employers, and visit employment resource centers. Religiously apply all the strategies and techniques in accessing the so-called hidden job market. Canada has immigrant-serving agencies strategically located all over. We were fortunate to have learned about services such as JSW for newcomers like us.

Bookkeeper
After participating in the Job Search Workshop, I received a call that I am the successful candidate as bookkeeper at Immigrant Women Services Ottawa (IWSO), and I know that the JSW workshop has greatly contributed to this.

Two days after the workshop, I sent my application, all based on the guidelines I learned from the workshop. When I was called for interview, I applied all interview techniques I learned from you. I gained confidence to face the interviewers from the ‘mock’ interview session that we had in the last day of the workshop.

I hope that you will continue with your program, because I believe that this will help new immigrants like me to be able to have good direction and guidance in their job search.

Again, thank you very much and more power!

This client attended the JSW at Immigrant Women Services Ottawa.

Fund Accountant
A client from the Philippines completed the Job Search Workshop Program in January 2006. Before coming to Canada, she worked as a Bank Accountant. Here is the "Thank You" letter, which the client sent to the JSW Facilitator at Job Start.

"…Thank you very much for taking the time to revise my resume. I really appreciate the time and effort you spent on it.
Also, I would like to let you know that I already started working with the Royal Bank of Canada as a Fund Accountant. I started working there on March 20.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the support and training you extended to me during my job hunting here in Canada. The workshops and all the tips had been very helpful during my job search. Again, my sincerest thanks."

This client attended the JSW at Job Start.